Transformers #12: The Fate of the Future

Transformers #12 concludes the second arc of The Energon Universe’s iteration of Transformers, setting events into motion that will impact the fate of the Transformers and Cybertron forever. While the first arc focused on establishing the who’s and the how’s, this second arc has firmly established the why’s, showcasing Optimus’s love for Earth and who he is as a leader and a soldier. Full of brutality and a surreal sense of personality from the protagonists, Transformers #12 ends with a bang, blowing up everything fans thought they knew about this franchise.

One of the major themes of this arc has been conscientious objections to war, the meaning behind conflict, and the fine line between someone who holds differing opinions and genuine evil. This issue really puts a cap on all of that, showcasing who Optimus is as leader and a soldier. While the previous issues have demonstrated this conflict through the lense of the other Autobots, Transformers #12 truly is all about Optimus, with his past, present, and future all coming together as he reconciles with his fate and makes an ultimate sacrifice to do what he believes is right. The brilliant part about Daniel Warren Johnson’s direction here is that nothing is ever black and white. No decision is made easily and there are definitely going to be differing options on how Optimus chose to resolve this conflict. The result is a complex narrative that forces the reader to see these characters as more than just awesome robots, giving this franchise a maturity unlike it’s ever seen.

The subject of objective evil here is one of the most profound aspects of this issue and the arc as a whole, especially with Optimus finally facing down Shockwave in one of the most shocking parts of the series so far. This turns into a question of how true evil is supposed to be dealt with. Throughout the series, Shockwave is shown as not just another Decepticons soldier, but a cruel, heartless, mercenary, who psychologically tortures his victims, dissecting them in an unnerving manner. This goes way beyond the politically based conflict that spawned this war to begin with, leading to the question, how does one truly deal with true evil? Transformers #12 presents a satisfying answer that holds an ambiguous maturity in the way it questions its hero, creating a whole new dynamic for the series.

Jorge Corona concludes his arc on this series spectacularly. One of the most notable aspects of Transformers #12 is the battle between Devastator and the Autobots, which concludes in a page that is full of so much detail. The way that Corona details every aspect of the destruction is spectacular, showcasing once and for all that he is a worthy successor to Warren on the art side of this book. It will be interesting to see what Jason Howard brings to this series in the next arc, but there is no doubt that Johnson and Corona have given Transformers a visual style that will forever stay in the minds of fans.